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2026 New Democratic Party leadership election

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2026 New Democratic Party leadership election
← 2017 March 29, 2026
Incumbent leader

Don Davies
(interim)


2026 New Democratic Party leadership election
DateMarch 29, 2026[a]
ConventionWinnipeg, Manitoba[1]
Resigning leaderJagmeet Singh
Entrance fee$100,000
Spending limit$1,500,000
New Democratic Party leadership elections
1961 · 1971 · 1975 · 1989 · 1995 · 2003 · 2012 · 2017 · 2026

In 2026, the New Democratic Party is expected to hold a leadership election to choose a permanent successor to Jagmeet Singh after he resigned as party leader following the 2025 Canadian federal election.[2]

Background

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Jagmeet Singh was elected as the leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the 2017 leadership election.[3][4] He led the party in the 2019, 2021, and 2025 federal elections. On March 22, 2022, the NDP reached a confidence and supply agreement with the governing Liberal Party of Canada, agreeing to support the government until June 2025 in exchange for specific policy commitments.[5] On September 4, the NDP withdrew from their confidence-and-supply agreement with the Liberals, though they did not commit to a motion of non-confidence.[6]

While the NDP under Singh stagnated in most opinion polls following the 2021 federal election, the party experienced a brief jump in support to second place following the collapse of the governing Liberal party, during the 2024–2025 political crisis. However, following Trudeau's resignation in January and Mark Carney's election as Liberal leader, the NDP collapsed in most polls, with most of its support going to the Liberals.[7]

At the 2025 federal election, Singh led the NDP to its worst result in party history, both in seat count and popular vote, losing official party status and himself having been defeated in the riding of Burnaby Central. On election night, he announced that he would resign as party leader;[8][9] he was replaced by Vancouver Kingsway MP Don Davies on an interim basis until a new party leader is elected.[10]

Rules

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Under rules set out in the party's constitution, every member is entitled to cast a secret ballot for the selection of the leader. The new leader will be chosen at a leadership convention through a combination of ranked ballots and round-by-round voting. If a leader is not chosen in the first round, additional vote counts will occur until a candidate obtains 50 percent plus one vote and is declared the leader. Voters who chose to vote with an internet ballot will be allowed to change their vote at any time before the closure of the polls, including between each round of balloting.

Candidates will be required to pay a $100,000 entry fee, which will be due in four installments,[11] and abide by a $1,500,000 spending limit. One quarter of all donations to candidates will be paid to the party. To be nominated, candidates require at least 500 signatures from party members, at least half of which must be from female-identified members and at least 100 from "other equity-seeking groups," including Indigenous people, LGBTQIA2S+ people, persons with disabilities, and visible minorities. At least 50 signatures will be required from each of five regions: the Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, the Prairies, and British Columbia/the North. In addition, 10 percent of the signatures must come from Canada's Young New Democrats. Members must join the party at least 60 days prior to the vote, a change from the 45 days previously established in the party's constitution.[12][13][14][15]

Due to allegations of foreign interference in past Canadian federal leadership races, the party's federal council announced in July 2025 that "strong regulations will govern the role of third parties in the race."[16][17]

Campaign

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Following the party's poor election showing, several commentators and party members pointed to organizational and strategic shortcomings, including leadership fatigue, messaging issues, and difficulty balancing support between urban progressives and working-class voters.[18][19] Some called for renewed grassroots engagement and stronger ties to labour[20], while others suggested the creation of a new progressive party, possibly including closer cooperation or a merger with the Green Party to consolidate progressive support.[21][22][23] Concerns about financial challenges and a shrinking activist base further complicated the party's path forward ahead of the 2026 leadership race.[24][25][26]

Following Singh's announcement, political commentators suggested that several figures were likely candidates: Alexandre Boulerice, Nathan Cullen, Leah Gazan, Matthew Green, Jenny Kwan, Avi Lewis, Heather McPherson, Rachel Notley, and Valérie Plante.[27][28] Boulerice, Cullen, Green, Notley, and Plante all declined to run before the start of the campaign period. McPherson's supporters publicly called on her to run in the election shortly following Singh's resignation.[29]

Timeline

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Date Event
April 28, 2025 The 2025 Canadian federal election was held. The New Democratic Party was reduced to seven seats and lost official party status for the first time since 1993. Party leader Jagmeet Singh, who was defeated in Burnaby Central, announced that he would step down once an interim leader was appointed.[30]
May 5, 2025 The party's federal council named Don Davies, MP for Vancouver Kingsway, as interim leader following consultations with the party's parliamentary caucus.[31]
May 10, 2025 NDP MPs Leah Gazan, Lori Idlout, and Jenny Kwan wrote a letter to the party's executive and council saying they were not properly consulted in the selection of Davies as interim leader. The letter says that the party executive and other MPs did not hold caucus discussions or provide a timeline. In a statement for a May 16 story in The Globe and Mail, NDP national director Lucy Watson said that the federal council had sole responsibility for choosing an interim leader under the constitution.[32]
July 8, 2025 Party launches an internal review of the 2025 campaign; it will be led by human rights lawyer and former candidate Emilie Taman.[33]
July 10, 2025 The party's federal council meets to discuss a schedule and logistics for the leadership election; it decides the campaign period will be between September 2025 and March 2026. It also decides that the convention will be held concurrently with the party's federal convention in Winnipeg, Manitoba.[34][33]
August 20, 2025 Leadership application package available.[35]
September 2, 2025 Leadership campaign period start date.[11]
October 2025 Leadership Candidate Forum: October 2025 (Exact date and location TBC).[35]
October 31, 2025 Deadline for second $25,000 installment of the deposit fee.[11]
November 2025 First leadership debate (Exact date and location TBC).[35]
December 30, 2025 Deadline for third $25,000 installment of the deposit fee.[11]
January 1, 2026 Deadline for leadership candidate application documents to have been completed and received by the Leadership Vote Committee.[11]
January 28, 2026 Membership cut-off date.[11]
January 31, 2026 Deadline for candidates to register and to have paid the fourth and final $25,000 installment of the deposit fee.[11]
February 2026 Second leadership debate (Exact date and location TBC).[35]
March 27, 2026 NDP federal convention begins.
March 28, 2026 Final day of voting in leadership election.[11]
March 29, 2026 Leadership election results announced. Final day of federal convention.[35]

Candidates

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Declared

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  • Yves Engler,[36] author, activist, and founder of the Canadian Foreign Policy Institute.
Date campaign announced: July 3, 2025
Campaign website: Website
Endorsements: NDP Socialist Caucus
Policies: Advocates for affordable public housing, universal pharmacare, slashing military spending, curtailing arms sales, and withdrawing Canadian troops from all international deployments with U.S. forces.
Date campaign announced: June 23, 2025
Campaign website:
Endorsements:
Policies: Proposes a merger of the NDP and the Green Party to form a new party, the Green Democratic Progressives.[38]

Potential

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Declined

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ The NDP's federal convention will be held between March 27–29, 2026, with the leadership convention occurring at the end of the convention.

References

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  1. ^ Major, Darren; Thurton, David (July 10, 2025). "NDP to choose new leader in March following 7-month contest". CBC News.
  2. ^ "NDP members will choose their next leader in March 2026". NDP. July 10, 2025. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  3. ^ "Who is the new leader of the Federal NDP Jagmeet Singh – RUTV News". Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  4. ^ "Jagmeet Singh becomes first Sikh politician to lead major Canadian party". Hindustan Times. October 2, 2017. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  5. ^ Fife, Robert; Curry, Bill (March 22, 2022). "Liberals reach deal with NDP to stay in power until 2025". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  6. ^ Aiello, Rachel (September 4, 2024). "Jagmeet Singh pulls NDP out of deal with Trudeau Liberals, takes aim at Poilievre Conservatives". CTV News. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  7. ^ von Stacklenburg, Marina; Thurton, David (March 21, 2025). "This election, the NDP could be fighting for its own survival". CBC News. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  8. ^ "Jagmeet Singh gives emotional speech and steps down as leader of NDP – video". The Guardian. April 28, 2025.
  9. ^ https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/federal_election/ndp-celebrating-their-election-demolition
  10. ^ a b Thurton, David (May 5, 2025). "NDP appoints Don Davies as interim leader Monday evening: sources". CBC News. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h "Rules Governing Leadership Contest" (PDF). New Democratic Party. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
  12. ^ "Leadership Rules 2017" (PDF). New Democratic Party of Canada. June 22, 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 2, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  13. ^ Smith, Marie-Danielle (June 14, 2016). "NDP sets rules for leadership race: Candidates need 500 signatures from party members across Canada". National Post. Archived from the original on June 14, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  14. ^ "NDP may forgo leadership convention for new approach". theglobeandmail.com. The Globe and Mail. June 14, 2016. Archived from the original on June 15, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  15. ^ "Rules Governing Leadership Contest 2026". Canada's NDP. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  16. ^ "NDP leadership to begin in September, new leader chosen no later than March 29". Pique Newsmagazine. July 10, 2025.
  17. ^ https://www.ndp.ca/sites/default/files/2026-leadershipgoverningrules.pdf
  18. ^ Reid, Angus (June 9, 2025). "Whither the NDP? After bruising election result, only 13% of Canadians say they'd 'definitely' consider party in future –". angusreid.org. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  19. ^ Press, The Canadian (May 3, 2025). "NDP has lost touch with its core supporters, says a former MP". CP24. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  20. ^ https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ndp-donations-riding-associations-1.7578275
  21. ^ "I Ran for the NDP and Lost. We Need to Change". The Tyee. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  22. ^ Miller, Scott (June 23, 2025). "NDP leadership hopeful calls for Green Party merger". CTVNews. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  23. ^ Trends, Island Social (May 7, 2025). "Federal NDP chooses Don Davies as interim leader". Island Social Trends. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  24. ^ iPolitics (May 23, 2025). "Progressive-left outlets look at what comes next for the federal New Democrats and the Canadian left". iPolitics. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  25. ^ Aiello, Rachel (May 1, 2025). "'Painful to be where we're at': NDP campaign director takes responsibility for party's worst showing". CP24. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  26. ^ https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-91-the-early-edition/clip/16144411-18-year-old-candidate-ran-ndp-b.c.-warns-existential-crisis
  27. ^ a b c d Ballingall, Alex; Patel, Raisa (May 1, 2025). "Prominent New Democrats won't rule out leadership bids as party grapples with crushing election defeat". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  28. ^ a b c "Two former NDP MPs rule out bids to lead party as leadership rules issued". The Globe and Mail. July 11, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  29. ^ "McPherson fans launch website to support her NDP leadership bid".
  30. ^ Zimonjic, Peter (April 29, 2025). "An emotional Singh steps down with NDP set to lose party status". CBC News. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  31. ^ a b "Don Davies chosen as interim NDP leader". Coast Reporter. Canadian Press. May 5, 2025. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  32. ^ Bailey, Ian (May 16, 2025). "NDP caucus members dispute appointment of interim leader Don Davies". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  33. ^ a b Aiello, Rachel (July 8, 2025). "NDP launch 2025 campaign review before triggering leadership race". CTVNews.
  34. ^ "NDP to choose next party leader in March". July 10, 2025 – via www.theglobeandmail.com.
  35. ^ a b c d e "Rules Governing Leadership Contest 2026". Canada's NDP.
  36. ^ "NDP Socialist Caucus Nominates Montreal Author and Activist Yves Engler for NDP Leader". July 3, 2025.
  37. ^ "McQuail named NDP candidate in Huron—Bruce". Goderich Signal-Star. September 6, 2019. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  38. ^ Miller, Scott (June 23, 2025). "NDP leadership hopeful calls for Green Party merger". CTV News. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  39. ^ a b Philippe, Teiscera-Lessard (April 30, 2025). "Valérie Plante laisse la porte ouverte". La Presse. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  40. ^ MacDonald, Brennan (July 10, 2025). "NDP plans to launch six-month leadership race, choose leader in March 2026". CTVNews. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  41. ^ "Longtime NDP MP Jenny Kwan reflects on bruising election night for her party". CBC News. April 30, 2025. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  42. ^ Kirkup, Kristy (April 29, 2025). "Federal NDP looks toward rebuilding party, with leadership race on horizon". Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  43. ^ Hett, Hanna (April 29, 2025). "'Sideswiped by history' A closer look at incumbent Bonita Zarrillo's loss in Port Moody-Coquitlam and the fall of the NDP". Tri-Cities Dispatch. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  44. ^ Angus, Charlie. "Charlie Angus Statement on Leadership Rumours". Charlie Angus/The Resistance. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  45. ^ Djuric, Mickey; Blanchfield, Mike; Taylor-Vaisey, Nick (July 10, 2025). "Who wants to lead the NDP?". POLITICO. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  46. ^ a b c "Hunt for new NDP leader raises tension before race even begins". Toronto Star. May 31, 2025. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  47. ^ Morrison, Catherine (May 3, 2025). "'Catastrophic loss': Former MP says NDP lost touch with core supporters". Global News. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  48. ^ Cullen, Nathan (July 5, 2025). "The NDP doesn't have time for a protracted leadership race, and Canadians don't either". Toronto Star. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  49. ^ "B.C. MP Don Davies reflects on tough night for federal NDP". CBC News. April 30, 2025. Discussion of leadership from 3:50 to 4:40
  50. ^ Weichel, Andrew (April 29, 2025). "B.C.'s NDP premier says he's not interested in Jagmeet Singh's job". CTV News. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  51. ^ "Idlout plans change of 'tone' when she returns to Parliament". Nunatsiaq News. April 29, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025. Idlout said she is "not considering at all running for leadership."
  52. ^ "Sole NDP MP re-elected on Island says party needs better way to get message across". Times Colonist. April 30, 2025. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  53. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  54. ^ Urback, Robyn (February 21, 2025). "Wab Kinew has the makings of a great national leader". The Globe and Mail.
  55. ^ Kives, Bartley (May 5, 2025). "One week after Canada's election, Manitoba premier addresses decimation of federal NDP". CBC News. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  56. ^ Tzembelicos, Andrew (July 10, 2025). "Summer recess is a pivotal time for national parties". The Hill Times.
  57. ^ Fawcett, Max (January 18, 2024). "Rachel Notley is done with Alberta politics. Is Ottawa next?". National Observer.
  58. ^ Apell, Jeremy (April 23, 2025). "Two paths for the NDP's future on display at Edmonton rally". Substack.
  59. ^ https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6744024
  60. ^ Niquet, Olivier (April 30, 2025). "Valérie Plante au NPD?". Tourniquet. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  61. ^ "Few Canadians are familiar with possible NDP leadership contenders: poll – Canada News". www.castanet.net.
  62. ^ "Rebuilding the New Democratic Party". National Newswatch.
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